Survivor of Oct. 7 Hamas attack speaks at Rider

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On Feb. 7,  Rider University’s Jewish student organization, Hillel, hosted a “Faces of October Seventh” event featuring survivor Eden Gafner. 

The “Faces of October Seventh” project aims to humanize the impact of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks by bringing survivors' personal testimonies to college campuses and communities across North America. 

Gafner, who had been residing in a kibbutz along the Gaza border when the attacks took place, recounted her harrowing experience to an audience of Rider students, faculty members and staff. 

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In her account, she described hiding in both her home’s safe room and attic with her boyfriend and parents for more than 26 hours before eventually being rescued by the Israel Defense Forces. As she spoke, a slideshow featuring surveillance footage of the attacks, as well as poignant before-and-after photos of her community, played in the background. 

“I think this event was so important to have because a lot of Jewish people do not feel safe, and have not felt safe for a while,” says Ethan Handelman, a junior elementary education and psychology major at Rider, and Hillel president. “It's important to educate others on the horrors of Oct. 7 and the history of antisemitism in general.” 

Before concluding, Gafner shared a touching slideshow honoring members of her community who were lost that day. She recounted memories and anecdotes about each individual, leading to a heartfelt ovation. Following her remarks, she stayed to engage further with members of the audience, providing a unique opportunity for personal connection and discussion.

Hillel at Rider is a student-run organization that strives to create a welcoming environment for both Jewish and non-Jewish students to engage in religious, cultural, social and action-oriented activities that celebrate and explore Jewish heritage.